Press Kit Requirements

Prizes & Awards

Best of Fest AwardCash Award Value: 500 U.S. Dollar
This prize is shared with other categories.

Sweet Home Alabama AwardGiven for the best film made at least partially in Alabama.
Sponsor:Clyde “Sappo” Black Family Cash Award Value: 2,000 U.S. Dollar
This prize is shared with other categories.

Special Jury AwardHonors include: Best Story; Best Directing; Best Cinematography; Best Actress; Best Actor; Best Editing; Best Sound Design; Best Score
This prize is shared with other categories.

Audience Choice AwardThis prize is shared with other categories.

Category Rules

1. The Sweet Home Alabama Award, (sponsored by the family of Clyde “Sappo” Black) carries a $2,000 cash award. To be eligible, entries must have been shot, at least partially, in Alabama. To be considered for this award (in addition to qualifications in area of entry) a brief explanation of qualification must be provided at the time of submission. If explanation is not provided at the time of submission, the entry may still be judged within the category of entry, but will not qualify for the Sweet Home Alabama Award.

2. To be considered for the Shoals Spotlight Award, entries must have been made, at least partially, by a resident of the Shoals. This is a category independent of all other categories and a brief explanation of qualification must be provided at the time of submission.

3. A feature film runtime typically exceeds 60 minutes, while a short film runtime does not. Feature films are accepted, but short films are preferred. This does not apply to screenplays, since there is a distinct category of entry for features and shorts.

4. Student film entries are accepted from students enrolled in a degree-granting program during the time of production. A copy of their student ID or transcript is required upon submission for confirmation. If confirmation is not provided at the time of submission, the entrant may be given the option to pay the difference in a full price entry and be judged in the most applicable non-student category. Otherwise the original fee will be kept for processing purposes and the entry may not receive full consideration.

5. The Young Filmmaker award is for short productions completed by students before entering college or university studies. A copy of their student ID or transcript is required upon submission for confirmation. If confirmation is not provided at the time of submission, the entrant may be given the option to pay the difference in a full price entry and be judged in the most applicable non-student category. Otherwise the original fee will be kept for processing purposes and the entry may not receive full consideration.

6. The Vanguard award is for short films of alternative expression, innovative aesthetic, or original exploration of abstract technique. Examples include: Animation, Music Video, Avant-garde, etc.

7. A Feature Screenplay must exceed 90 pages. For screenplay entry, upload via WAB in in any two of the following format extensions: “.pdf”; “.fdr”, or “.doc”.

8. A Short Screenplay must not exceed 90 pages. For screenplay entry, upload via WAB in in any two of the following format extensions: “.pdf”; “.fdr”, or “.doc”.

9. Initial entry is accepted only through Withoutabox with all supporting materials to be sent accordingly.

10. All entries must have been completed after January 1, 2011.

11. No previously screened material of the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival may be submitted for competition again.

12. Two copies of each film entry must be submitted. One in a playable, standard definition NTSC DVD format (Region “0” or “1” only). The second, in Quicktime data/media file format on DVD or Bluray. It is the submitter’s responsibility to ensure that the packaging of materials is durable enough to withstand shipping rigors. FYI: All material selected for screening must be digitized for optimal play during the festival. If a film is selected for screening, you will contacted with the option to upgrade the version of your data/media file to be played, if your original data/media file was highly compressed to meet format restrictions. Coordination of this process will he handled after screening selections have been made.

13. The identifying Withoutabox tracking number should be clearly coordinated on all materials.

14. Multiple entries are accepted, but a complete submission form and fee will need to be completed for each individual project.

15. Entry fees must be paid through Withoutabox. We make every effort to keep our fees at a minimum and do not offer submission fee waivers.

16. No original submission items will be returned.

17. Entry materials must be postmarked by the deadline date that corresponds with the appropriate submission time and fee. If the submission is postmarked after the appropriate date and/or incorrect fee amount the entry will have to pay the difference in fees or choose to have the entry removed from contention. The final deadline and fees are absolute.

18. Packaging of materials submitted for judging will not influence the process, so be as cost and environmentally conscience as possible.

19. The earliest arriving promotional materials stand a more reasonable chance of receiving press screenings or highlight within promotions for the festival. This is due simply to our access to these items and does not reflect preference by the festival or judges.

20. Submission of materials for consideration does not guarantee inclusion in festival screenings.

21. The festival reserves the right to disqualify from competition any entry in which categorical qualifications of contributors have been misrepresented. If the eligibility of an entry is questioned the festival is authorized to make determinations.

22. Noncompliance with any rules, terms and conditions may affect entry qualifications.

23. A press kit is required after acceptance, but requested at the time of submission. It should include:

Film Press Kit Requirements- Synopsis of plot and premise (not to exceed 150 words)- Bio and filmography information for contributors- Complete list of film credits- Digital high resolution images: on set production stills, film screen captures, promotional art (such as postcards, fliers, and posters), press clippings, etc. – 300+ dpi resolution is requested- Clip (not to exceed one minute in length) to be used for publicity and/or at the awards show ceremony (acceptable extensions: “.avi”; “.mpg”; “.mov”)- OPTIONAL: Trailer (not to exceed two minutes in length) to be used for publicity and/or at the awards show ceremony